Jon Reinaker LENS 5- Out of the Dust Reader- as-Writer Purpose: To explore the style of the novel and show my interpretation of the book’s format in relation to its’ significance. Audience: Children, Adults, & Teachers Engagement: Defining the symbolism found in the novel’s style and relate it to my personal experiences, expression, and writing style. Genre: Reader-as-Writer
In the novel Out of the Dust written by Karen Hesse, there is a format that is very dissimilar to that of other novels with such a historical setting and problematic theme. Despite its unique style, Hesse opens our eyes to a multitude of emotions based upon her expression of feeling through short paragraphs that appear to be “short stories”. There is most definitely a lot to learn about this style of writing for many reasons. Some of these reasons encourage the idea that “less is more” in regards to the expression of emotions despite a tough setting. Rather than writing detail after detail about how awful a situation may be, Hesse portrays the dust bowl in way that uses very little detail yet, the reader obtains the message just the same. I feel that this method is appropriate for such a topic and think that she did an engaging job in identifying the key issues for the main character without using wordy details. This is an art form in finding the best way to convey emotion with the smallest amount of words; using mainly phrases and expressions. This novel has taught me that it is highly unnecessary to overuse detail and that by doing so; you may lose the reader’s attention. In regards to its effectiveness, during our classroom discussion, I saw not one individual who disliked the format and discredited its’ effectiveness. There is definitely something to be said about the craftsmanship of this work and its ability to capture the reader’s attention effectively.
Hesse promotes a poetic concept that pushes the reader to expand one’s thoughts in a way that utilizes the poetic format and emphasizes the strong use of emotion to convey a given message. Although many shutter at the sound of the word “POETRY” there are many forms much like this novel that don’t involve a traditional rhyme scheme or a tone that is “happy-go-lucky”. This style also gives another avenue for self-expression; a way in which one may focus more on a word or phrase that effectively states their emotion rather than a wordy paragraph that drags out the emotion and de-emphasizes its’ importance. I firmly believe that this technique would be a wonderful way to distress and to find the core feelings that surround us each day to successfully articulate how we feel and why. I imagine therapists utilize this writing style in an attempt to target emotions and the behaviors linked to them. Individuals of all ages can use this poetic style Hesse has introduced to their best advantage in stating their emotions, opinions, and morals/values in response to an event or personal experience in the past or present. The dust bowl in the novel serves as the tragic setting in which music, feelings, and hope surround. I believe she used this as a way to parallel one’s own turmoil in life and to provide a template where he or she can mimic the style as they see fit in hopes of effectively get across the relationship they have with and event or experience and the feelings and emotions that correspond.
In relationship to this novel, our textbook, The Pleasure of Children’s Literature by Perry Nodelman and Mavis Reimer,refers to poetry and emphasizes the importance of expression and the meaning behind the simple poem stems. This story is a prime example in comparison to the symbolism found in so few words. “We believe it’s readers’ perceptions of the rightness of the specific words and images that lead them to treasure poems that express significant truths to them.” (Pg. 265) I believe that this quote attempts to capture the purpose for the poem; the very “aha!” moment for the reader when he or she gets the intended meaning. This aspect of poetry is crucial in successfully reaching the reader on a more advanced, poetic level in which one can assume appreciation for the style and detailing of the poem. In essence, I couldn’t agree more with our text in regards to poetic appreciation from the reader’s point of view; there is always an audience for every created work; a message to be found.
Works Cited:
Nodelman, Perry, and Mavis Reimer.The pleasures of children's literature. New York: Longman, 1992. Print.
LENS 5- Out of the Dust Reader- as-Writer
Purpose: To explore the style of the novel and show my interpretation of the book’s format in relation to its’ significance.
Audience: Children, Adults, & Teachers
Engagement: Defining the symbolism found in the novel’s style and relate it to my personal experiences, expression, and writing style.
Genre: Reader-as-Writer
In the novel Out of the Dust written by Karen Hesse, there is a format that is very dissimilar to that of other novels with such a historical setting and problematic theme. Despite its unique style, Hesse opens our eyes to a multitude of emotions based upon her expression of feeling through short paragraphs that appear to be “short stories”. There is most definitely a lot to learn about this style of writing for many reasons. Some of these reasons encourage the idea that “less is more” in regards to the expression of emotions despite a tough setting. Rather than writing detail after detail about how awful a situation may be, Hesse portrays the dust bowl in way that uses very little detail yet, the reader obtains the message just the same. I feel that this method is appropriate for such a topic and think that she did an engaging job in identifying the key issues for the main character without using wordy details. This is an art form in finding the best way to convey emotion with the smallest amount of words; using mainly phrases and expressions. This novel has taught me that it is highly unnecessary to overuse detail and that by doing so; you may lose the reader’s attention. In regards to its effectiveness, during our classroom discussion, I saw not one individual who disliked the format and discredited its’ effectiveness. There is definitely something to be said about the craftsmanship of this work and its ability to capture the reader’s attention effectively.
Hesse promotes a poetic concept that pushes the reader to expand one’s thoughts in a way that utilizes the poetic format and emphasizes the strong use of emotion to convey a given message. Although many shutter at the sound of the word “POETRY” there are many forms much like this novel that don’t involve a traditional rhyme scheme or a tone that is “happy-go-lucky”. This style also gives another avenue for self-expression; a way in which one may focus more on a word or phrase that effectively states their emotion rather than a wordy paragraph that drags out the emotion and de-emphasizes its’ importance. I firmly believe that this technique would be a wonderful way to distress and to find the core feelings that surround us each day to successfully articulate how we feel and why. I imagine therapists utilize this writing style in an attempt to target emotions and the behaviors linked to them. Individuals of all ages can use this poetic style Hesse has introduced to their best advantage in stating their emotions, opinions, and morals/values in response to an event or personal experience in the past or present. The dust bowl in the novel serves as the tragic setting in which music, feelings, and hope surround. I believe she used this as a way to parallel one’s own turmoil in life and to provide a template where he or she can mimic the style as they see fit in hopes of effectively get across the relationship they have with and event or experience and the feelings and emotions that correspond.
In relationship to this novel, our textbook, The Pleasure of Children’s Literature by Perry Nodelman and Mavis Reimer,refers to poetry and emphasizes the importance of expression and the meaning behind the simple poem stems. This story is a prime example in comparison to the symbolism found in so few words. “We believe it’s readers’ perceptions of the rightness of the specific words and images that lead them to treasure poems that express significant truths to them.” (Pg. 265) I believe that this quote attempts to capture the purpose for the poem; the very “aha!” moment for the reader when he or she gets the intended meaning. This aspect of poetry is crucial in successfully reaching the reader on a more advanced, poetic level in which one can assume appreciation for the style and detailing of the poem. In essence, I couldn’t agree more with our text in regards to poetic appreciation from the reader’s point of view; there is always an audience for every created work; a message to be found.
Works Cited:
Nodelman, Perry, and Mavis Reimer. The pleasures of children's literature. New York: Longman, 1992. Print.